For a group of six-year-old girls, summer softball has become about much more than balls and strikes.
After weeks of practice, long evenings in the Texas heat, and a determination that has impressed even their coaches, the Mount Vernon 6U All-Stars are headed to the state tournament.
The team recently earned District Runner-Up honors in Ranger Youth Softball Association play, securing a berth in the Ranger State Tournament scheduled for June 26-28 in New Caney, Texas. It is a remarkable accomplishment for a team made up primarily of pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first-grade students.
According to coach Savannah Phillips, the journey began when league play concluded, and an All-Star team was selected to represent Franklin County. Since then, the girls have spent nearly every day preparing for tournament competition.
“My husband, Colton, and I have been coaching the team,” Phillips said. “We’ve been practicing five or six days a week. These girls are putting in the work every single day.”
What makes this group unique is that they are competing in two separate softball affiliations. The team is dual-affiliated with both the Ranger Youth Softball Association and the Diamond Youth Softball Association, allowing them to compete on two different postseason paths.
Just one week before earning their state berth, the team dominated Paris in Ranger district competition to qualify for regionals. This past weekend, they continued their strong run by finishing as district runners-up, punching their ticket to New Caney.
While the tournament success is exciting, Phillips says the greatest growth has come away from the scoreboard.
“We’ve got a lot of really great athletes,” she said. “But the coolest thing to see is their grit and how much toughness they have.”
That toughness has been developed through countless hours on the field. Phillips recalls that during their first All-Star practice, many of the girls struggled through the two-hour workout in the summer heat. Today, she says they have developed a completely different mindset.
“When they first came to us, they were hot and tired and complained some,” Phillips said. “Now they’ve got a lot of fight in them and a lot of mental toughness.”
That resilience was on display during tournament play, when the team suffered a narrow one-run loss. Despite the setback, the girls continued battling until the final out.
“They didn’t give up right until the end,” Phillips said. “They were pushing and fighting the whole time.”
For Phillips, the lessons extend far beyond softball fundamentals.
“Yes, they’re learning softball, but they’re also learning to be mentally strong,” she said. “To see that at such a young age is really neat.”
As the team prepares to represent Mount Vernon on the state stage, the coaches remain focused on continuing to build the players' character, confidence, and leadership.
“We can only prepare so much at practice,” Phillips said. “What I’m looking forward to most is watching them compete, watching them be leaders, and watching them continue to be good kids.”
Phillips also expressed appreciation for the support the team has received from the Mount Vernon community. Local businesses have provided financial assistance, while families and community members have filled the stands throughout tournament play.
“Just showing up and supporting these girls means a lot,” Phillips said. “Having the bleachers full keeps them motivated.”
The Mount Vernon 6U All-Stars will now turn their attention to New Caney, where they will represent Franklin County, their community, and the countless hours of hard work that have brought them this far.
For a group of young athletes who have already learned the value of perseverance, the opportunity to compete at state is another exciting step in what many hope will be a memorable softball journey.
The team’s postseason success extends beyond a single tournament run. Competing in both Diamond Youth Softball and Ranger Softball, the Mount Vernon 6U All-Stars have continued to make their mark across two separate organizations.
Just last weekend, the team went undefeated to capture the Diamond Youth Softball District Championship, earning a trip to the Regional Tournament in New Boston. There, they will have an opportunity to compete for a berth in the state tournament.
This weekend, the girls added another accomplishment to their growing list of achievements by finishing as District Runner-Up in Ranger Softball competition in Winnsboro. That performance secured their place in the Ranger State Tournament in New Caney later this month.
With a district championship, a district runner-up finish, and opportunities to compete for two separate state tournament appearances, the young Mount Vernon squad continues to prove that their hard work and determination are paying off in a big way.
